"Nearly eight months have passed since President Obama pledged to take on the terrorist group Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL. “We will degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL,” Mr. Obama vowed. How is that campaign going?".

"If the defense appropriations bill is vetoed, it is unlikely to change by any great degree the money the Pentagon would get in an omnibus bill. Still, it would add political ugliness to the process and continue to underscore that the politics of the defense budget is and will remain wrapped up in taxes, entitlements and non-defense spending. It could get uglier."

"Self-centered, preoccupied with their personal survival and wealth, fearful of domestic rebellions, and, even more, perennially watchful of ambitious members of their entourage, tyrants cannot go far away. Any absence by the tyrant chips away at his hold on power."

"The billions of dollars the United States spends has fueled a Byzantine industry and few, inside or outside the aid community, believe that the system as currently designed functions well. Still, Americans believe in helping others, and few beyond perhaps the most libertarian candidates would suggest dispensing with foreign aid."

"The truth is, China is in no position to lead Asia. China’s economy is stagnating as its debt grows, its labor force shrinks and its natural resource base is pillaged. The bank is just another way for China to recycle the dollar reserves it holds to sustain a distorted financial system."

"The next leader of the free world must be able to powerfully project and defend America’s interests internationally. That must include standing up to a resurgent Russia. 'Leading from behind,' the mantra of the Obama administration, is simply not good enough when it comes to challenging Vladimir Putin’s regime."

In the Daily Northwestern, our Northwestern University chapter's recent event made news after a discussion on the legality of Israeli settlements under international law:

“That’s really exciting when you get people who don’t agree with each other and care about an issue to talk about the issue,” a senior student said. “I don’t think we get enough actual debate on campuses anymore.”